Sayuri is deceived by others | memoirs-of-a-geisha

Sayuri is deceived by others.

Throughout the novel, Sayuri encouters several people who continue to contribute to the theme of deception in Memoirs of a Geisha and cause her to be more pessimistic about there being any kindness and sincerity in the world.

Sayuri and Satsu deceived by Mr. Tanaka and their father.

-Sold in slavery

2. Direct deception

Hatsumomo is a big source of deception throughout Sayuri's life. Even when she knows betteer, Sayuri still allows herself to be taken in by Hatsumomo's beautiful face.

Hatsumomo gives Sayuri money to run away but ends up using it against her, claimming that Sayuri stole some jewlery and sold it.

"She turned me around to face her again, and began to stroke the side of my head with her hand, wearing an almost motherly gaze...Then before I knew what she was doing, she worked her fingers down to my scalp; and all at once she clenched her teeth in fury and took a great handful of my hair, and yanked it to one side so hard I fell to my knees and cried out."

When Hatsumomo is gone, she leaves behind Pumpkin to continue as the new source of direct deception in Sayuri's life.

"It was as though the spirit of Hatsumomo had been living trapped inside her all these years, and had finally broken free."